Types of Sedation Dentistry: A Patient’s Guide

What Is Sedation Dentistry?

It entails using a sedative medication to aid the performance of various dental works. Sedation dentistry in Vancouver works by calming the mind and body and promoting feelings of comfort and relaxation. With sedative medication in your system, your body will not be extremely defensive against treatment protocols that should help your oral health. Feelings of fear, anxiety, pain, and distress all disappear so that you can sit calmly during treatments. Dentists near Riley Park–Little Mountain in Vancouver use various levels and types of sedative medication to sedate patients.

Types of Sedation Dentistry

Dentists can use different medications to achieve mild, moderate, or deep sedation. Each type of sedation has various effects on your brain and body. However, the dentist can always control the levels of each type of sedation accordingly.

• Oral sedation – entails swallowing a pill or tablet about an hour before your dental procedure. The number of pills your dentist prescribes will determine the level of sedation. Usually, oral sedation administers mild and moderate sedation.

• Inhaled sedation – entails breathing in a special gas called laughing gas, usually through a face mask. The dentist will allow portions of both oxygen and laughing gas through your face mask. (S)he can regulate the level of sedation from mild to moderate by reducing or upping the amount of laughing gas.

• Intravenous (IV) sedation – is the fastest form of sedation in dentistry. It entails administering the medication through your veins directly into your bloodstream. It can administer moderate sedation.

• General anesthesia – is the deepest form of sedation, also known as sleep dentistry. You remain in a deep sleep throughout your treatment. You can wake up from your sleep if the technician administers a different medication to counter the anesthesia. However, since you lose consciousness with this form of sedation, dentists usually avoid it when performing dental work.

Why Do Dentists Employ Sedation Dentistry?

Dentists do not use sedation dentistry for every treatment with every patient. It depends on various factors. Some of the factors that make dentists employ sedation before dental procedures are:

• Excessive gag reflexes – can make it impossible for the dentist to effectively treat your mouth.

• Severe tooth pain – other than numbing your mouth, a dentist will use sedative medication to relax your mind and alleviate discomfort.

• Extreme tooth sensitivity – like with dental pain, you need help managing tooth sensitivity during dental procedures.

• Dental anxiety – some patients have anxiety and phobias rooted in traumatic past experiences that shape their perception of dental care. Sedation dentistry helps treat dental anxiety.

• Restlessness in the dentist’s chair – dentists work in very tight quarters in the oral cavity. For optimal precision, they need patients to remain still throughout dental procedures. Some patients may be incapable of staying still, for example, children or autistic patients. Sedation dentistry can help promote stillness in the dentist’s chair.

When Might You Need Sedation Dentistry?

Your dentist at Phoenix Dental Implant and Invisalign Centre can recommend sedation dentistry for various dental protocols as long as any factors mentioned above apply to your treatment protocol. Some of the cases where you may need sedation dentistry near you are:

• Oral surgeries – any oral surgery entails an invasive procedure. The result of such dental work is pain, swelling, and bleeding, all of which can overwhelm patients. If you are undergoing any oral surgery, including dental implants, gum contouring, bone grafting, or tooth extraction, sedation dentistry is necessary.

• Dental emergencies – many dental emergencies in dentistry are marked by severe pain and swelling. Besides, oral emergencies can terrify you, causing you to be in a constant state of anxiety. Sedation dentistry will help calm your nerves, relaxing you for the procedure.

• Multiple dental procedures – patients set to undergo more than one dental work in one sitting need sedation dentistry. It may get tedious and exhausting to keep your mouth open for a series of dental works. Sedation dentistry relaxes your mind, so you do not need to think about the aspects of your procedure.

• Invasive dental works – any treatments that may be invasive merit sedation dentistry. It includes endodontic procedures, dental fillings, and oral veneers, to mention a few. The eventualities of preparing your tooth for treatment can embed bad memories in your mind, building up dental anxiety and phobias that may hinder future dental treatments.